Pakistan Grants Banking Access to Licensed Crypto Firms Under New Rules

Pakistan has taken a major step forward by allowing licensed crypto companies to open bank accounts. This change opens the door for regulated digital asset businesses to work with traditional banks in the country.

Why This Matters for Crypto in Pakistan

Only companies with a valid PVARA license can now access banking services. This rule helps bring more order to the crypto space while keeping risks low for banks and customers.

The move comes after the was passed in March. That law created the first clear legal setup for digital assets in Pakistan. An April 14 circular then gave banks the exact steps they must follow.

Recent Talks With Global Crypto Players

Pakistani officials have been talking more with the crypto industry lately. In December 2025, they met with big exchanges like Binance and HTX. The goal was to bring regulated trading platforms into the country.

They also looked at using stablecoins for cross-border payments. Talks happened with groups linked to World Liberty Financial on this idea.

What Banks Can and Cannot Do

The new rules set clear limits. Banks cannot trade, invest, or hold virtual assets with their own money or customer deposits. Their job is only to provide basic banking services to licensed firms.

Banks must open special accounts in Pakistani rupees for each licensed VASP. These are called Client Money Accounts. The accounts must stay separate from each other. Mixing VASP funds with client money is not allowed.

Checks and Ongoing Monitoring

Every bank has to do full checks on a VASP before opening an account. They must also update their risk models to cover VASP-specific risks. Banks will watch these accounts all the time and report any strange activity to Pakistan’s Financial Monitoring Unit.

What Comes Next

This framework gives crypto firms a safer way to operate while protecting the banking system. It shows Pakistan wants to grow its digital asset sector in a controlled way. More licensed companies may now enter the market and use local banking services.

People interested in crypto should watch how these new accounts work in practice. The rules could lead to more stable growth for the industry in Pakistan.